The Detroit Pistons took Ron Holland II with the No. 5 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, but just six picks later, the Chicago Bulls took Matas Buzelis. Though he went 11th, Buzelis had some early-first-round buzz, with some mocks even projecting the Pistons to take him at five. And based on the way Buzelis has been playing, maybe they should have.
Holland hasn’t been bad, by any means. He’s an impressive defender, a great hustle guy, and the city has grown very fond of him. He fits the culture of the team well. But so far this season, Buzelis has begun to break out into a star, and the Pistons could use what he brings to the table.